If you are planning a trip from Plantation to Fort Lauderdale, expect a journey covering 196 miles that typically takes about 2 hours and 59 minutes. While these cities are close geographically, this specific route takes a longer, winding path that is best suited for a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $33 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the entire trip takes place within Florida, you won't need to worry about crossing state lines or adjusting for major regional changes. It is a straightforward drive that works perfectly if you have a full day to spare for the road.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
97.7 miles from Plantation, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
174.1 mi
3h 6m
Port Everglades Expressway
10.1 mi
11m
Jacaranda Boulevard
2.6 mi
4m
SR 84
2.2 mi
3m
Marina Boulevard
1.6 mi
3m
Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
Venice East Boulevard
0.6 mi
1m
Southwest 4th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 174.1 mi, about 3h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plantation, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
1
Start on Lake of the Woods Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Lake of the Woods Drive
2
Turn right onto Venice East Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Venice East Boulevard
3
Turn left onto Indian Hills Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Indian Hills Boulevard
4
Turn right onto CR 765
2.0 mi·3 min·Jacaranda Boulevard
5
Enter roundabout onto CR 765
215 ft·3 sec·Jacaranda Boulevard
6
Continue on CR 765
0.6 mi·1 min·Jacaranda Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 75 South: NaplesUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 75
174 mi·3 hr 6 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
10 mi·11 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 9CToward SR 84 East: Marina Mile BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.2 mi·18 sec·SR 84
Toward I 595 East, SR 84 East
12
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 84
2.0 mi·3 min·SR 84
Toward SR 84 East
13
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 84
1.6 mi·3 min·Marina Boulevard
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile BoulevardUse the right lane.
14
Turn left onto Southwest 4th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 4th Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Southwest 17th Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·Southwest 17th Street
16
Continue on Southeast 17th Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Southeast 17th Street
17
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·Southeast 3rd Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto SR 842
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Broward Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
SR 842
Trip Plan
Because this route is entirely local, your best strategy is to embrace the flexibility of a one-day timeline. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive, as the constant turning can be more taxing than a straight highway haul. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $33 cost estimate can fluctuate depending on how often you navigate stop-and-go traffic on these local roads. Since there are no long highway stretches to make up time, ensure you leave early in the day to avoid peak congestion on the smaller boulevards. Prioritize comfort and patience while traversing the turn-heavy sections to keep the trip stress-free.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 97.7 miles from Plantation, FL, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 43 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.7 miles or 1h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Lauderdale, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Plantation, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Plantation, FL
This is one driving day of about 195.3 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Plantation, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 174.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.1 and 193.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.1 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 75 South: Naples
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 75 South: Naples
9
178.6 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
7
188.7 mi into trip|~3h 27m in
Take the exit toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9C
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
7
191.1 mi into trip|~3h 32m in|SR 84 / Marina Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 84 / Marina Boulevard toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward SR 84 East: Marina Mile Boulevard
6
193.7 mi into trip|~3h 37m in|Southeast 3rd Avenue
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.09 one way
$62.17 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$33.82
$67.63
premium
$4.72
$36.32
$72.63
diesel
$5.61
$43.12
$86.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.6
0
$20.51
$9.37
Efficient EV
48.8
0
$17.09
$7.81
EV Truck/SUV
78.1
0
$27.34
$12.50
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Plantation, FL
Morning
in Plantation on Sunday
Local time
8:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Morning
in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday
Local time
8:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 41m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that lacks any significant highway segments, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will spend your time navigating local roads like Venice East Boulevard, Indian Hills Boulevard, and Jacaranda Boulevard. Because the path relies entirely on these local connectors, the pace is much slower than a standard interstate cruise. Expect a consistent, technical driving experience that requires your full attention at the wheel rather than the monotonous ease of high-speed travel.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 174.1 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Port Everglades Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 195.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 178.6 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Plantation is a suburb of Fort Lauderdale in the US state of Florida. The area is the base for many large corporations, such as Motorola, Nortel and American Express.
Fort Lauderdale is a coastal city on the Atlantic Ocean in the US state of Florida. It is known as the "Venice of America" due to its expansive canal system. Situated in Broward County in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro area, the city's population is over 180,000 (2021).
The city is most famous for its beaches and boats, and while the city of Fort Lauderdale is relatively small in area, the term 'Fort Lauderdale' is often used to refer to the larger metropolis that has grown up around it. It is the county seat for Broward county, and is part of the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan area, which has over 6.1 million people (2019).
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 41m. Total distance: 195.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 174.1 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Fort Lauderdale, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 178.6 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Lauderdale, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
